Wednesday 09/14/05 - Psalm 11

For the director of music. Of David.

1 In the LORD I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
"Flee like a bird to your mountain.

2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.

3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?"

4 The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes the sons of men;
his eyes examine them.

5 The LORD examines the righteous,
but the wicked and those who love violence
his soul hates.

6 On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.

7 For the LORD is righteous,
he loves justice;
upright men will see his face.

The more you read the book of Psalm you should notice a clear distinction between the way of the righteous and the wicked. There is much battle language used. Why? David was a man of war. David had enemies that wanted to kill him. But this battle language also applies to us today.

There is still a battle to live righteously. There is a battle to follow God fearlessly or to fear the opinions of this world. It is hard to call this world wicked because in our “human perspective” there are many “good people” here. Some people who seem “better” than us in many ways. We need to see through God’s eyes. Bible says that we were all on the road to wickedness but by the grace of God we were saved through Jesus. It is His righteousness that covers over our wickedness. It is Christ death that paid for our sins. Anyway, this has nothing to do with Psalm 11…just some thoughts that I wanted to express.

The Psalm asks,

3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?"

What can we do when we feel out of control? What do we do when we feel like the world is against us? What do we do if we really do have an enemy who is against us? David’s answer is to focus on who God is. Remember who your God is! God is still on his holy throne. God has not lost sight of his people. God will judge the wicked (vv.4-6). God is on our side. Hold on to this promise!

7 For the LORD is righteous,
he loves justice;
upright men will see his face.

Click here to return to Daily Devotions schedules